FDA tightens food ingredient notification rule, still avoids 'ultra-processed' label

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has unveiled

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has unveiled a revised framework for how companies inform the agency about new food ingredients, aiming to close a long-standing regulatory gap. However, the Trump administration has again declined to provide an official definition for "ultra-processed foods," a concept it had hinted at addressing earlier this year.

The new rule alters the notification process for ingredients that are generally recognized as safe (GRAS), a status that currently allows manufacturers to bypass pre-market approval. Under the updated guidance, the FDA will require more detailed submissions and will review them more rigorously, a shift that could slow the pace at which novel additives reach grocery shelves.

Consumer advocates have long criticized the GRAS loophole, arguing it lets companies introduce ingredients without sufficient safety scrutiny. The FDA's move is seen as a partial victory for these groups, though they note the agency has stopped short of more sweeping reforms that were promised amid a broader push to modernize food safety regulations.

Notably, the announcement does not tackle the term

Notably, the announcement does not tackle the term "ultra-processed foods," which has become a focal point in recent policy discussions. The administration had previously signaled it would clarify the term, but today's rule leaves that task for a future date, frustrating some public health experts who see it as a key step in addressing diet-related diseases.

The timing is also significant, as the agency is currently managing one of the largest foodborne illness outbreaks in recent memory. Critics argue that the new rule, while helpful, does not address the immediate crisis and may not go far enough to prevent future contamination events.

Industry groups have offered cautious support, emphasizing the need for clear and predictable regulations, but they are wary of added compliance costs. The FDA has stated it will accept public comments on the proposed rule for the next 90 days before finalizing it.